Minister of Sports Darryl Smith continued his support for sports in T&T by agreeing to donate five per cent of his salary for the period February-August, 2016 to T&T Olympic Committee’s Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund ten Golds by 2024.
Committee president Brian Lewis said the country will aim to win ten gold medals by 2024 and Smith, an avid sports supporter, said his government is passionate about sport hence why it is top priority to support initiatives such as the Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund. He said Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his Cabinet understand what Olympics have brought to this nation.
“We saw it with Keshorn Walcott, Ato Boldon, George Bovell and our first Olympic Gold medallist Hasely Crawford amongst others” Smith said. He added it is imperative to support this drive, saying he is hopeful that others will be encouraged to donate to the fund.
Only in December the prime minister, in an address to the nation, announced that he and his Cabinet colleagues agreed to give five percent of their salary to a selected charity, NGO or sporting body of their choice. This gesture was due to start January 2016 and continue for the next two years.